Microsoft tries to woo users off Windows XP: $50 Store gift card, free support and data transfer with a new PC

With the Windows XP end of support date now less than a month away, Microsoft is trying to woo users off the ancient 12-year-old operating system. The latest comes in the form of a Microsoft Store deal that offers a $50 gift card, 90-days of free support, and free data transfer with the purchase of a new PC.

As always with such offers, however, there are some details worth noting. The $50 digital gift card can only be used towards future purchases at the online Microsoft Store in the US. Free support is hardly anything new for Microsoft Store purchases, though it does cover both phone and chat options. Lastly, the free data transfer option is available to everyone, thanks to a Microsoft partnership with Laplink.

In other words, it’s really only the gift card that’s useful in this case, and only if you shop online. Still, it is an additional discount, and that’s nothing to complain about. You have more than a month to take advantage:

Valid 3/6/2014 until 4/30/2014, or while supplies last. Not valid on prior orders or purchases; cannot be transferred or otherwise redeemed for cash. Not combinable with other offers. Price discount does not include taxes, shipping or other fees. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Microsoft reserves the right to modify or discontinue offers at any time. Limit 1 per PC sold.

As WinBeta notes, there are 16 new computers to choose from, including tablets, laptops, all-in-ones, and convertibles, many of which have been discounted. Prices range from $229.00 to $1258.91, so chances are you’ll find something worthy of your wallet.

While Microsoft is pushing this deal as a great reason for Windows XP users to upgrade, the company is unfortunately not targeting the right demographic. XP usage is high in third-world countries, rather than the US, and among businesses, not consumers.

On April 14, 2009, Microsoft retired Mainstream Support for XP. The company will retire Extended Support for the operating system on April 8, 2014. That means no more security updates for your machine; if you still have a PC running Windows XP, it’s time to get a new computer.